A Review of Quality of Life Experienced by Patients Following Surgery for Pancreatic Cancer

Background: There is evidence that pancreatic cancer arises from different pre-malignant conditions, which can take decades to transform to invasive cancers. Some individuals can benefit from surveillance and early access to surgery. Patients that have disease that is detected whilst it is resectable may have the disease cured by total or partial pancreatectomy. It is already known that pancreatic cancer, whether advanced or localised, causes impairment in quality of life, and survivors of surgery can have quality of life impaired by recognised and predictable pancreatic deficiencies. Methods: A literature review of key themes affecting quality of life in pancreatic cancer are presented here. Results: The biological features of the precursors of pancreatic cancer are described, with the rationale for surveillance and effects of surgical management in different conditions. Conclusions: Surgery for pancreatic cancer carries the potential for high impact on quality of life after survivorship after initial surgical intervention. Identification of issues that affect patients are discussed with the aim of improving the quality of care for patients.